Media centre

Monday 23 May 2016

Upgrading Hexham Railway Bridge

Region & Route:

| Eastern

From 6 June, Network Rail engineers will be carrying out extensive improvement work on Hexham railway bridge as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan to make sure that it remains in service for many years to come.

The work includes:

• Repairs to the steelwork and masonry on the bridge
• Waterproofing
• Repainting
• Resurfacing the road

To carry out the work safely, the A6079 road will be closed to vehicles where it crosses the railway, for six weeks from 6 June 2016.

The work is essential to maintain the safety of the bridge and has been timed to coincide with work carried out by utility services, minimising disruption to those who use the bridge as far as possible.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We understand that any road closure is highly disruptive and so we have worked closely with Northumberland County Council and Road Link (A69) to agree a diversion which keeps road users safe and reduces disruption as much as possible. The nature of the road network in this area means that our diversion is a long one and we are sorry for the disruption this will cause. Our project team is aware of this and will complete the work as quickly as it is safe to do so. The team will be available to answer questions at a public drop in session at Wentworth leisure centre on Thursday, 26 May 1530 – 1730 and 1800 – 1900.”

A leaflet containing the route of the diversion is being produced and will be available at this event.

The diversion to the east of Hexham goes through the centre of Riding Mill village. A temporary pedestrian crossing will be installed in the village for the duration of the work to enable people to cross the road safely.

A compound is being provided on railway land adjacent to the station to maintain emergency services provision throughout the work.

Diversion overview

The A6079 road will be closed to vehicles from the junction with Alemouth Road to Tyne Mills roundabout. Alemouth Road and the roundabout will remain open throughout.

Pedestrian access will be maintained over the bridge.

South of the railway the A6079 remains open. Traffic heading to and from the Newcastle direction along the A69 will be diverted via the A6079, Priestpopple Roundabout and the A695, a temporary pedestrian crossing will be installed in Riding Mill for safe crossing.

Traffic heading to and from Carlisle direction along the A69 will be diverted via Alemouth Road, Haugh Lane, Eilansgate and the B6531. Leaving Hexham north of the bridge, the diversion route will take drivers up the A6079 directly to the A69 and west to the A69/A6531 junction into Hexham.